Page 29 of Only Some Stars Fall

One thing I know to be true is that no matter what emotion is invoked, the heat that stirs inside my body is undeniable. I am falling for Hux Anderson, not just in a summer crush way. In an all-consuming, heart-racing, ageless love kind of way.

And that is not good.

THIRTEEN

HUX

Well,isn’t this a fucking mess? How did I let this girl get under my skin and into my head? I look down at her as she wipes tear stains off her cheeks. I hate that she feels uncomfortable being sick around me, but I couldn’t help being angry with her. I wish she would’ve had the forethought not to drink at her place of employment, but then again, I’m not stupid. I know the tension between the two of us lately most likely had a lot to do with how tonight ended, especially since she saw me with Sharon.

I never claimed to be the most cheerful person, it’s just not in my DNA. The last few years, being back in this place, surrounded by memories I never wanted to revisit, hasn’t helped. So, even the thought of catching feelings, especially for someone merely passing by? Yeah, it’s a fucking mess.

I pull out my phone. “I’ll give Alex a ring and have her come get you?”

“No, she’s still out of service. She won’t be back until tomorrow. Mr. Croft didn’t want her driving back alone in the dark. Mutants, you know?”

I chuckle at the absurdity. “Right.”

“Elle said she would give me a ride home, but I am guessing she has left by now.”

I quickly text Elle to tell her I’m with Everly. Knowing her, she hasn’t left and instead is actively freaking out about where Everly ended up. “Here, let me help you up. You think you can walk back to my place? My truck is there. I’ll give you a ride home.”

“I’m drunk, not paralyzed. Yes, I can walk.” There’s that sass. I sigh in frustration.

“Do you have a snarky response to everything?”

“Only when you ask dumb questions.” She feigns a smile, and I can’t help but laugh as I hold out my arm for her to weave hers through. We look like a couple from the 1950s taking an evening stroll down a quiet lakeside path lined with birch trees. Well, except for that slight sway she’s trying hard to hide from me but failing horribly. If only it were all so simple and innocent.

We make it to my porch steps, and I quickly skip up a couple of stairs and open the front door. Birch comes flying out, all wags and wiggles. Everly immediately crouches down, giggling as she smothers him with affection.

“Hey, buddy! I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.” She scratches behind his ears and takes his slobbery kisses like a champ.

“Let me just run in and grab the keys.” I look down at her, where she plays with Birch in the soft glow of the moon and my deck light. She looks back at me, her eyes sparkling, her cheeks flushed. She tucks her hair behind her ears and stands up. She looks like she wants to say something but doesn’t dare.

We stare at each other, surrounded in silence, other than the hoot of a nearby owl and Birch’s collar tags jingling as hesniffs at her feet.

“Or… I mean, if you want to come in for a bit? Have a drink? Water, of course.” I wink. “I was just going to put the baseball game on I recorded.”

“Hmm, I haven’t dared walk through that door since the time I found you in a very compromising position. Can I be sure it’s safe?”

I laugh, remembering her look of horror when she stumbled in on Ashlee and me. Throwing my hands up in front of me, I say, “I promise, it’s all clear.”

“The idea of spending the night alone in Mr. Croft’s big house does give me a bit of the creeps…”

“Oh, we are sleeping over now, are we? I think you move quicker than I am comfortable with.” Her cheeks immediately turn fire-engine red as she starts to stutter out an explanation.She’s so easy to get going.

“I’m joking. I refuse to watch sparkly vampires, but let’s see how the Sox did, shall we?”

“Ooo, he’s cute!”Everly squeaks as the pitcher comes up to the mound.

We are settled in on the couch with glasses of ice water and a bag of potato chips on the coffee table. Birch has found the perfect spot, smack dab between us, his head resting on Everly’s thigh.

What a cockblock.

Not that there is a chance in hell of anything happening tonight. Everly seems to be mostly sober now, and from how much she threw up, I highly doubt there could be any alcohol left in her system, but it’s still not something I would even think about taking a chance on.

“First of all, you’ve said that about almost every player, andsecond, he is on the opposing team, so I think you should be careful with your words. Wouldn’t want Boston to catch wind, you’ll be known as a traitor down there.

“I’ve never even been to a game,” she says quietly.

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